When the Pittsburgh Steelers first signed veteran free agent defensive lineman Cam Thomas last year, there was an initial uncertainty about what his role might ultimately be that season. While the Steelers had quality depth just the year before, the loss of Ziggy Hood and, at the time, Brett Keisel, meant that there was a hole not just in the depth chart, but in the starting lineup.
It was hoped. If not believed, that Thomas, who signed a two-year, $4 million contract, would be a one-for-one replacement for Al Woods, who signed elsewhere in free agency for a very similar deal.